INFLUENCE OF CHILD ABUSE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAOF BENUE STATE, NIGERIA STATE.

Abstract This study examined Influence of Child Abuse on Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. Descriptive research design was employed for the study. The population was 8,670 respondents. A sample of three hundred and eighty two (382) respondents was used. The study employed Taro-Yamane sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Four research questions guided the study and four hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer research questions and Chi-square to test hypotheses at 0.05 level of significant. The study revealed that; Emotional abuse, Child neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse have significant influence on academic performance of secondary school students in Makurdi Local Government Area. The study recommended among others that; Counsellors should expose the students to healthy coping skills such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or journaling to help them manage their emotions and reduce stress. It was also recommended that School administrators should provide access to school counsellors or mental health professionals who are trained to work with children who have experienced neglect. These professionals can offer individual or group therapy sessions to help students process their experiences and develop coping mechanisms, by Facilitating peer support groups or mentorship programs where students can connect with others who have gone through similar experiences. This sense of community can be incredibly empowering and validating.